Book Blogger Appreciation Week

September 14-18, 2009

My Friend Amy is hosting the second BBAW! Last year over 400 blogs came together to celebrate the art of book blogging during the first ever Book Blogger Appreciation Week!

WHO Anyone who blogs about books is invited to participate. In fact, we want everyone who blogs about books and reading to be a part of this week!

WHAT A week where we come together, celebrate the contribution and hard work of book bloggers in promoting a culture of literacy, connecting readers to books and authors, and recogonizing the best among us with the Second Annual BBAW Awards. There will be special guest posts, daily blogging themes, and giveaways.

WHERE At the new Book Blogger Appreciation Week Blog! (Please note that this year there are three separate blogs and feeds—one for the main event, one for giveaways, and one for awards.)

WHY Because books matter. In a world full of options, the people talking about books pour hard work, time, energy, and money into creating a community around the written word. I, Amy, the founder of Book Blogger Appreciation Week love this community of bloggers and want to shower my appreciation on you!

WANT TO PARTICIPATE?Please help us spread the word about Book Blogger Appreciation Week by posting about it on your blog, stumbling this post, twittering about it, and telling everyone you know that it’s time to have a party and celebrate book bloggers!

Please register by filling out the registration form! Registering ensures your inclusion in the BBAW 09 Database of Book Bloggers and enters you into the drawing for the BBAW 09 Grand Prize!

Come back often as there will be many updates! And follow us on Twitter!

Award Nominations open until August 15, 2009 on the BBAW Awards Blog.

Short Lists announced and voting begins September 7th

Voting closes at 11:59 PM EST on September 12th

Barney's Book Blog Monthly Reads - EVENT

Barney's Online Book Club Discussion
A monthly event hosted by Barney's Book Blog

Jess at Barney's Book Blog hosts a monthly Online Book Club Discussion for any interested readers. A new book is chosen each month and Jess posts questions to stimulate discussion. August's read is Julie and Julia.

To join in at any time, drop by Barney's Book Blog.

Alice in Wonderland Challenge

September 1, 2009-August 31, 2010

Jenny of TakeMeAway is hosting her very first challenge.

Here's how Jenny describes the challenge:

This challenge has two parts; you can decide at any time until the end if you would like to complete only the first part or both. However, prizes will only be awarded to those who complete both parts.

Tasks: (Part 1)

• Read and review Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
• Read and review Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
• Read and review Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin (publish date December 2009)
• Read and review one other book from the list of "retellings and sequels" or "literature with allusions and influences" from the list here . If you know of a book that will work that is not on the list, you may use it, but please have it approved as part of the challenge first.

Tasks: (Part 2)

• Watch and review Disney's animated version of Alice in Wonderland
• Watch and review one live action (already released) movie version of Alice in Wonderland.
• Watch and review Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (due for release in 2010)
• Watch and review one other movie listed under "Film" here

To find out more or to sign up go to The Alice in Wonderland Challenge!!

R.I.P. IV Challenge

September 1 - October 31, 2009

Carl V is hosting the 4th annual Readers Imbibing Peril challenge to usher us in to Halloween.

There are two simple goals to the R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril Challenge:
1. Have fun reading.

2. Share that fun with others.

As I do each and every year, there are multiple levels of participation that allow you to be a part of R.I.P. IV without adding the burden of another commitment to your already busy lives.

Peril the First:
Read Four books of any length, from any subgenre of scary stories that you choose.

Peril the Second:
Read Two books of any length, from any subgenre of scary stories that you choose.

Peril the Third:
Read One book of any length, from any of the subgenres listed earlier in the post.

Short Story Peril:

More than any other time of the year, R.I.P. season brings out my desire to explore the short story genre. We will again do Short Story Sundays, for those of you who read R.I.P. related short stories any time during the week and want to write about them. I know I have Lovecraft, Poe, and Angela Carter waiting in the wings for my short story reading.

To find out more or to sign up, visit R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril…IV!!!

China Challenge

September 1, 2009-September 1, 2010

Jennie at Biblio File is hosting the China Challenge which encourages readers to learn more about China. Jennie writes:

We hear about China all the time in the news. It has one of the richest and longest literary histories in the world. It's a huge and changing country, and there are a million books out there to enjoy. In order to help us understand China, join the China Challenge!

There are several levels of participation to choose from:

• Armchair Traveler: Read 1 book about China.
• Fast Train to Shanghai: Read 5 books about China (1 should be a translated work of fiction by a Chinese author, or not translated if you have the language skills.) Exceptions for Chinese authors that also write in English-- their English works are fine. 1 should be nonfiction
• Hiking the Great Wall: Read 10 books about China.1 should be a work of translated fiction. 1 should be nonfiction. Here you can read 1 book (but only 1) about Chinese immigration. So, stories of Chinese people abroad, or nonfiction about overseas Chinese communities.
• Silk Road Trek: Same as "Hiking the Great Wall," but you also have to do (and blog about!) at least 3 of these other China-Related activities:

1. Listen to a lesson or two on Chinese Pod and learn some Mandarin
2. Check out a Chinese cookbook and make a dish that's new to you
3. Go out for Chinese food. If you can, dim sum brunch!
4. Read a blog about China
5. Listen to some Chinese music!
6. Watch a Chinese film
7. Check out a travel guide and plan a vacation to China-- it's a huge country--what cities do you want to go to and what do you want to see while there?
8. Actually take that vacation! Or a different trip to China.
9. Attend a Chinese cultural event or art exhibit in your area.

Doesn't this sound like fun??? To learn more (and get some suggestions for the challenge) and sign up, visit the post about the challenge. By the way...there are multiple options for a button too :)

Sci-Fi Reading Challenge

August 28, 2009 - August 8, 2010

Mish at Stage and Canvas is hosting the Sci-Fi Reading Challenge. Mish writes:

It seems like what turns a lot of people off from the genre is the stigma that it’s all aliens, robots, outer space, scientific terminology, and Star Trek, but it’s much much more than that. Sci-fi is a literature of ideas and infinite possibilities that may include the past or future, a completely different timeline, utopias or dystopias, science and technology like time travel, or an invasion of body snatchers. I love sci-fi because of its study, commentary, and exploration of humanity and technology. From cyberpunks to superhumans and beyond, it spans tastes and the sky’s the limit- good thing it’s a very vast sky.

Here are the guidelines for the challenge:

1. Read 3.14 or 8 books (or audio books) of the science-fiction genre. (Mish provides suggestions)
2. You may join at any time.
3. Each time you read a book, please link to your reviews. If you don’t do reviews, no biggie.
4. Making a list of chosen books is optional and it can change at any time. Overlaps with other challenges are fine.

To learn more and to sign up with Mr. Linky, visit the post about the challenge.

Challenge Roundup

Monthly Event Hosted by Chris of Book-a-Rama

Chris writes:

At the end of The I Suck At Challenges Challenge, I promised that I would keep the challenge updates going. Today I introduce Challenge Roundup where we all can gather and celebrate our accomplishments or whine about our failures. Whatever kind of month it is.

So, everyone I invite you to leave a comment about your challenges or write your own post and leave a link. Feel free to grab the button.

To find out more or to participate go to Challenge Roundup.

Much Ado about Shakespeare Challenge

September 1, 2009 - April 26, 2010 (Shakespeare's Birthday)

Hosted by Andrea of The Little Bookworm

I've been inspired by Saving Juliet and Much Ado about Nothing (the movie). I thought it would be fun to do a Shakespeare Challenge.
Read 6 of any Shakespeare's works or any book inspired by a Shakespeare play. You can also watch any movie from or inspired by a Shakespeare play.

For more information or to join go to Much Ado about Shakespeare Challenge.

The Stephen King/Richard Bachman Challenge

Perpetual Challenge - No Time Limits

Meaghan at The Book Geek is hosting a new perpetual challenge. The Stephen King/Richard Bachman Challenge encourages readers to read every book this prolific author has written. Meaghan writes:

[...]the object of this perpetual challenge is to read EVERY SINGLE book by Stephen King or his pseudonym, Richard Bachman. A complete list can be found here. If you have trouble finding the limited edition books, that's okay.

ALSO: If you don't want to, you don't have to re-read the books you have already read.

ALSO ALSO: If you want to watch all the movies, too, go ahead. I won't stop you.

ALSO ALSO ALSO: Go ahead and review all of the books, too, if you want!

To learn more and to sign up using Mr. Linky, visit the post about the challenge.

Critical Monkey Contest

July 2, 2009 - July 2, 2010

Corey at Shelf Monkey is hosting a fun challenge: Critical Monkey Contest. Corey writes:

I, as I assume most people who read this blog are, am somewhat of a book snob. I don't pretend to read only the 'classics' of the Western canon, but there's a lot of crap out there I go out of my way to avoid. See? Right there, snobbery. Bad monkey! Bad!

So I have decided to launch Critical Monkey, a little contest designed to make us confront our fears, and read those we otherwise actively ignore. These do not have to be authors who are typically derided in literary publications; choices can be books you simply have never wanted to read for whatever reason. Never read a Charles Dickens, but always felt bad? Now's your chance to try him on for size. Have you avoided Margaret Laurence because a lousy teacher force-fed you The Stone Angel and squeezed everything good out of it (guilty!)? Time to make her acquaintance. Anything you like. Even Harlequin romance novels. I double-dog dare you to try.

AND:

So, let's be clear; I am asking for blogged reviews of any novel you've avoided in the past. I'd like real reviews, not Amazon.com-type two-line hate rants. If you despise what you've read, then good, but let's get a sense as to why. And if you turn out to actually like it? Well, I guess you've grown up a bit now, haven't you?

There are seven levels of participation to choose from:

1. Shock (one review)
2. Denial(two reviews)
3. Bargaining (three reviews)
4. Guilt (four reviews)
5. Anger (five reviews)
6. Depression (six reviews)
7. Acceptance (seven reviews)

To sign up and learn more, visit the post about the challenge.

Toni Morrison Mini Challenge

September 1 - December 31, 2009

Monique at The Little Reading Nook is hosting the Toni Morrison Mini Challenge. The goal is to read FOUR novels by this author.

Guidelines:

• Anyone can join you don't have to have a website to participate
• You can use books that are being used other challenges
• You also have the option of listening using audiobooks. But only 2 audiobooks count.
• Only adult (or young adult) fiction novels count (non of her non-fiction or children's fiction count)
• All 4 novels have to be new to you novels (no re-reads).
• You can join anytime now and December 31, 2009.
• Only books read between September 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009 count (once again no re-reads)

Monique has listed all of Morrison's novels on the post about the challenge. Go there to sign up using Mr. Linky and for more information.

Dewey's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon

October 24-25, 2009

The date has been set for this autumn's 24 Hour Read-A-Thon in honor of Dewey. Go to the official blog for more information. This from that site:

So excited you want to get started now? Check the FAQ page for more (general) information, and watch this space for updates! Stay informed by subscribing to this blog in your feed reader of choice. And follow the read-a-thon on twitter.

If you want to help, email your fearless co-hosts: DeweyReadathon AT gmail.

Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge

August 15, 2009 - August 15, 2010

Yvonne from Socrates' Book Reviews is hosting the Women's Murder Club Reading Challenge (overlaps with the James Patterson Reading Challenge ARE ALLOWED). Yvonne writes:

Beth F's Sookie Reading Challenge and J.Kaye's Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge made me think about another series of books I'd like to complete. James Patterson's Women's Murder Club. I love this series and I have several more I have to finish. I'm hoping there are others out there who also want to read this series, if not, I'll just enjoy it myself

Guidelines:

• All books need to be read between August 15, 2009 and August 15, 2010. That's a year to complete whatever books you haven't read in this series. Books read prior to August 15th don't count for this challenge.
• If you want to participate, just post about it on your blog with a link back to the post about the challenge. Make sure you list the books you need to read.
• Audio and Ebooks are acceptable.
• You can also use these books for other challenges.
• There will be a Mr. Linky for reviews, although posting your reviews are not a requirement.

These are the books in the series that have already been published...

1. 1st to Die
2. 2nd Chance
3. 3rd Degree
4. 4th of July
5. 5th Horseman
6. 6th Target
7. 7th Heaven
8. 8th Confession

To sign up with Mr. Linky and to learn more, visit the post about the challenge.

James Patterson Reading Challenge

August 15, 2009 - August 15, 2010

Yvonne at Scorates' Book Reviews is hosting the James Patterson Reading Challenge. She writes:

Since I love James Patterson's books so much - even books other than the Women's Murder Club series - I decided to host one more challenge. This is for anything written by James Patterson. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have quite a few of his books in my TBR.

The goal is to read at least 10 books by this author during the challenge period.

Guidelines:

• You do not need to make a list of what you will read now or, if you want, you can. However, nothing is written in stone and the books you list can be changed at any time.
• Overlapping books with other challenges is allowed.
• As long as it's written by James Patterson, you can use the book in this challenge.
• Books read prior to August 15th don't count for this challenge.
• If you want to participate, just post about it on your blog with a link back to the post about the challenge.
• Audio and Ebooks are acceptable.
• There will be a Mr. Linky for reviews, although posting your reviews are not a requirement.

To sign up with Mr. Linky and learn more, visit Yvonne at the post about the challenge.

Dog Ear Reading Challenge

August 1 - December 31, 2009

Jeane at Dog Ear Diary is hosting her very first challenge... the DogEar Reading Challenge. Just read five books - one in each of the following categories:

1. A book featuring an animal
2. An adult fantasy book
3. A YA or juvenile fiction book
4. A non-fiction book on an obscure topic (or something you don't usually read about)
5. A book about plants, gardening, or food

Guidelines:

• Post your list of books online somewhere (in the comments on the post about the challenge is fine, if you don't have a blog).
• Preferably, read the books just for this challenge. But if you want to cross-over, that's fine.
• If you find you can't finish a book on your list, feel free to pick a new one.
• At the end, everyone who's completed will be entered into a drawing for a prize! The prize consists of your choice of three items: Jeane's bookmarks, any book off her swap list (Paperback Swap or Book Mooch) or Book Mooch points. Any combination: so you can have three bookmarks, or two books and a bookmark, or two Mooch points and a book, etc.

To learn more and sign up using Mr. Linky, visit the post about the challenge.

Japanese Literature Challenge 3

July 30, 2009 - January 30, 2010

Dolce Bellezza is hosting round 3 of the Japanese Literature Challenge. She writes:

This year, all you have to do is read one work of Japanese origin. It can be literature of course, but don’t feel confined to that. You may choose to read poetry, biographies, short stories or even manga. If you are willing to read one such piece, you’ve met the challenge. If you read more, all the better.

There is a dedicated review blog set up for participants.

There are some fun prizes this year including:

• a Moleskine Japanese format notebook, with two Japanese pencils and a Japanese eraser
• a copy of Murakami’s book South of the Border, West of The Sun
• a brochure from the Art Institute of Chicago’s special exhibit on Japanese screens, with a magnet and box of screen cards
• a cell phone charm, and makie stickers made of 24 karat gold, imported from Japan
• two copies of Yakuza Moon by Tendo
• a copy of Eat Sleep Sit by Nanomura
• and more surprises to come!

To learn more and sign up, visit the post about the challenge.

Stephanie Plum Challenge - 2009/10

July 23, 2009 - December 31, 2010

J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Blog is hosting the 2009/10 Stephanie Plum Challenge. The guidelines are:

1. The goal is to get caught up on the Stephanie Plum series, so create a list of the books you haven't read yet. Don't include books you've read prior to or started before 7/23/09.
2. This reading challenge is for participants with a blog. If you decide to participate in the 2009/2010 Stephanie Plum Reading Challenge, create a post on your blog telling others about this event.
3. Audio and eBooks count.
4. You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.
5. Books to be published after signing up do not have to be listed. This is optional.
6. There will be a place for you to link your reviews, but this is optional.

To sign up and learn more, visit the post about the challenge.

Lisa Jackson Reading Challenge - 2009/10

July 18, 2009 - December 31, 2010

J. Kaye at J.Kaye's Blog is hosting the 2009/10 Lisa Jackson Reading Challenge. Here are the guidelines:

1. Create a list of the Lisa Jackson books you'd like to read. Don't include books you've read prior to or started before 7/18/09.
2. This reading challenge is for participants with a blog. If you decide to participate in the 2009/2010 Lisa Jackson Reading Challenge, create a post on your blog telling others about this event.
3. Audio and eBooks count.
4. You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.
5. Set the number of books you'd like to read ahead of time. The amount can be up to you. You can change out titles if you'd like, just try and accomplish the number you set out to complete.
6. There will be a place for you to link your reviews, but this is optional.

To learn more and to sign up using Mr. Linky, visit the post about the challenge.

Thowback Thursday - EVENT

Hosted by Jenny at Take Me Away

Jenny at Take Me Away is hosting a new weekly event every Thursday. She writes:

It is the time each week to recognize those older books… an older book you’ve always wanted to read, or one that you have read and love; maybe one from your childhood; or review an older book -- how about even a classic!

To participate, visit Jenny's blog each Thursday and leave her a comment.